A Valley tribe could still be years away from opening up a casino in Madera County.

But the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians got a boost from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed a deal to allow the tribe to build the casino about 50 miles away from its reservation.

To open the gambling operation, the tribe needs permission from both the federal government and state legislators. But many state lawmakers are critical of this deal, including Senator Dean Florez, because they don't like off-reservation casinos.

Tribal leaders say reservation land in the Madera County foothills is too environmentally sensitive for construction.

Tribal Chair Elaine Fink said, "The compact ensures that the facility will be built in a community that wants and needs the well-paying jobs and the economic stimulus that the North Fork Rancheria project will bring."

There are also some residents of Madera County worried about the proposed development. Their concern is increased traffic and crime.

The compact that the governor signed with the tribe specifies that they must share profits from the casino with another tribe in Northern California.